Package gripper and holder.



No. 867,961. PATENTED 0,013. 15, 1907.

I J. P. FELL.

PACKAGE GRIPPBR AND HOLDER. APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 7, 1907.

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JULIUS P. FELL, OF BERGLAIR, TEXAS.

PACKAGE GRIPPER AND HOLDER.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1907.

Application filed Jan ary 7,1907. Seri l No. 351,244.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUs P..FELL, residing at Berclair, in the county of Goliad and State of Texas, have invented a new and Improved Package Gripper and Holder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention, which relates generally to store service appliances, more particularly seeks to provide a simple, inexpensive and easily handled appliance for use in gents furnishingdepartments of stores, and it is in the nature of a light pole or bar of suitable length whereby it can be adjusted for reaching packages or cartons on the highest shelves, and having means thereon for gripping a package or carton containing furnishings, hats, etc., and for firmly holding the same, whereby the salesman can readily obtain from any of the higher shelves the cartons or packages without the necessity of climbing upon the shelves or counters, or using a step ladder.

Generically, my invention comprehends a pole or handle-bar whose upper end has fixedly held means for engaging and gripping the sides or ends of cartons or paste board boxes or packages, and adjustable hand controlled means for clamping down on the top of the said boxes, cartons or packages.

In its more complete nature, my invention embodies a handle-bar or pole whose upper end is shaped to readily slip under the lid of a box or carton, a series of arbitrarily arranged spurs for adapting the upper end of the bar for gripping the ends or sides of boxes, cartons or packages of different heights, and a hand controlled and adjustable clamping device mounted on the bar for engaging the top of the box lid or package.

In its more specific nature, my invention consists in certain details of construction and novel arrangement of parts, all of which will be hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1, is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which my invention is used. Fig. 2, is a perspective view thereof, the thumb controlled clamping member being turned at right angles to the gripping face of the implement, and in a normal position. Fig. 3, is a vertical section, the mplement being shown as gripping and holding a hat box, the clamp member being projected in the direction of the gripping face and drawn down by thumb pressure. Fig. 4, is a horizontal section thereof on the line 44 on Fig. 3, the clamping rod being shown in one of its rotated positions in full lines, and

lid or cover and the side of the box and the said upper end is also provided with a series of sharp pins 1+23 that project outwardly therefrom and are progressively longer, the upper one 1 being the shortest whereby it can be used for sticking into the sides of a shallow box or carton, the next one, 2, into a deeper box or carton, and the other, 3, into a deep and wide carton, such for example, as a hat box.

B designates a thumb controlled clamping rod which is rotatably mounted in a pair of upper brackets CC and a lower bracket 0 secured to the red A and projected from the rear side thereof. The rod B is also of suitable length so its lower end, which has a laterally extended thumb piece b, can be readily manipulated by the user and the upper end of the said rod is bent outwardly at right angles to form a elamping arm I), in practice about four inches long, the outer end of which is bent down and formed with a series of sharp spurs or fingers b for pressing down into and gripping the top of the box when a pull pressure is exerted on the said rod B by the thumb of the user. The rod B is held in its uppermost or normal position by a coiled spring D disposed thereon and mounted between the bracket 0 and a cross pin E on the rod B, the oppositeends of which project beyond the said rod B, the reason for which will presently appear.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the complete structure, the manner of its use and its advantages will be readily apparent.

When it is desired to use the appliance, the operator rotates the rod B by manipulating the thumb piece sufl'iciently to bring the arm at the top at right angles to the penetrating points of the pins 1, 2 and 3, so that the taper end of the rod may be readily slipped under the pendent rim of the cover, the rotary movement of the rod B in that direction being limited by reason of one of the ends of the cross pin E engaging the rod A. After the tapered end of the rod A has been slipped under the box lid, the rod B is turned back to bring its arm over the top of the box, the movement of the rod B in the last stated direction being limited by the other end of pin E now engaging the rod A. After the arm of rod B has been turned over the box, said rod B is pulled down by thumb pressure and against the tension of the spring until its fingers or spurs grip the box top, and when this has been done, the rod A is pushed against the side or end of the box to cause pins 1, 2 and 3, as the size of the box may require, to enter the side of the box and thereby so firmly engage the appliance that the said box can be readily lifted down.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Lettters Patent, is:

clamping rod mounted on the bar, said rod having a memher for engaging the top of the carton or package, as set forth.

2. An implement of the character stated, comprising a bar having a tapered upper end, means fixedly held in one side of the upper end for gripping the side or end of a box or carton, and hand controlled adjustable clamping device mounted on thebar, having a member for engaging and pressing down on the top of the box or carton.

3. The combination with the bar, a series of spurs on the upper end thereof projected therefrom, of progressively increasing length, the uppermost one being the shortest, and hand controlled means mounted on the bar for clamping down on the top of the box or carton, as set forth.

4. The combination with the bar having a spur projected laterally from the upper end thereof, for engaging the side or end of a carton, of the rod B rotatably mounted on the bar, and spring held to its upper or normal position, the lower end of the bar having a thumb engaging projection, the upper end being bent outwardly at right angles and having pendent spur-like fingers, for the purposes described 55. As a new article, a store service appliance comprising a handle-bar whose upper end is tapered substantially to a sharp edge, a series of spurs projected from one side of the upper end of the said bar, said spurs being of progressively greater length, the shortest one at the top, brackets on the bar, a rod rotatably mounted in the bracket, a spring coiiperating with the rod and the brackets for holding the bar at its uppermost or normal position, said bar having its upper end bent at right angles and terminating in pendent spurs, and having at the lower end a thumb engaging piece, all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

6. As a new article, a store service appliance comprising a pole or bar whose upper end is shaped to readily slip under the lid of a box or carton, a series of arbitrarily ar ranged spurs on the upper end thereof for engaging the ends or sides of a carton or box, and an :idjustable clamping device mounted on the bar for engaging the top of the box lid or package.

JULIUS I. l ldlili.

Witnesses .T. W. CAMPBELL, 'l. C. Mnnk. 

